Swaggart Back on TV, Says He Will Disclose Sin

Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart returned to his television program Sunday and told his followers that he would tell them someday about the unspecified sin to which he confessed two weeks earlier.

He said that he is eager to tell the whole story, not just what has been given in news reports, and that he will do so when the time is right.

Swaggart replaced co-preacher Jim Rentz on Sunday’s television broadcast, even though Swaggart stepped down from his pulpit after a tearful confession Feb. 21.

Assemblies of God spokeswoman Juleen Turnage said Swaggart has not yet been officially ordered to refrain from preaching as part of his rehabilitation.

“At this point, his discipline really hasn’t been determined,” she said in a telephone interview from her home in Springfield, Mo., where the denomination has its national headquarters.

Two-Year Period

The Louisiana District of the Assemblies of God set a two-year rehabilitation period for Swaggart, to begin with a three-month suspension from preaching. It rejected the national executive body’s request to stretch the suspension to a year, and the question of Swaggart’s punishment will go to the 250-member general assembly.

“Until a decision is made at the end of this month, he is not under suspension,” Turnage said, “because his rehabilitation and criteria for rehabilitation have not been established until the General Presbytery meets March 28 and 29.”

National church officials could not be reached for comment. Turnage said they were on their way to Orlando, Fla., for a meeting.

Swaggart, whose Jimmy Swaggart Ministries laid off 100 workers and called a halt to new construction last week, also asked viewers for help.

The televised broadcasts usually show the previous week’s service at Swaggart’s Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge.

Sermon Deleted

Sunday’s show included the music from last week’s service but Rentz’s sermon was edited out. Instead, film was shown of Swaggart talking in front of a curtain.

Swaggart said he and wife also will be on the program next Sunday.

Swaggart’s public confession did not say what his sin was but Louisiana leaders of the Assemblies of God have confirmed seeing photographs of him at a New Orleans motel with a reputed prostitute.

Debra Murphree, who claims to be that woman, said Swaggart paid her to pose naked and talk dirty while he watched.